Brenda
Perez is a registered nurse at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Like
many nurses, she pursued her career due to her nurturing instincts. "I
feel very protective over people who are weak or in pain," said Perez.
"In fact, as hospital nurses, we tend to get very attached to our patients.
When one of them leaves, it's bittersweet. Of course, we want them to get better
and go home. At the same time, though, we miss them." Barbara
Rolph, an RN, added, "We say that 'Nursing is the glue that holds a patient's
health care together.' While the other professionals are in and out, nurses are
a continuous presence. They can physically and emotionally support the patient
through their stay and also help to coordinate their care." Rolph
has been a registered nurse with hospital experience since 1967. She is currently
the regional nursing-program director (from Indian River through Broward counties)
for Keiser Career College. "Nearly
80 percent of all nurses work in a hospital setting," said Rolph. "And
it's an exciting place to be right now. With technological advances, we have so
many tools to help treat a patient that life spans have increased and general
health has improved." Those
hospital positions pay an average annual salary of $49,190, according to the Bureau
of Labor & Statistics. The national breakdown is licensed practical nurse,
$28,150; registered nurse, $45,000; and licensed nurse practitioner, $62,000. The
field of nursing claims a unique honor: It is projected to grow faster than any
other occupation. Job offers, however, might may reflect one's level of education. A
licensed practical nurse (LPN) generally studies for 12 to 18 months. Some programs,
though, can qualify a student to take the licensing exam in less than a year.
Registered nurses complete a two-year associate's degree. "Generally,
the education takes a third longer than for an LPN," said Rolph. However,
the extra effort is valuable, she added: "Most hospitals prefer to hire
RNs due to the responsibilities of caring for patients who may be critical ill."
A Student can then elect to continue their education for a few months to include
a specialty, such as phlebotomy, surgical or anesthesiology. They may also study
business in pursuit of a nurse-administrator position. Or
they might choose to become a licensed nurse practitioner. The master's-degree
LNP is becoming one of the most sought after in the industry, because it allows
the nurse to make certain diagnoses and to prescribe limited treatments. All
three levels of nursing must pass a national examination before being granted
a license. Once
a nurse has gained experience, he or she may work toward an administrative position.
Head nurses, nurse supervisors and nurse administrators direct nursing activities,
work on schedules, assign duties, arrange nurse training and visit patients. They
might also maintain equipment, order supplies, and oversee a budget for their
department. Other
nurses with field experience can choose to gain knowledge in a particular area.
"There are so many possibilities in a hospital," said Rolph.
"One can concentrate in critical care, physical rehabilitation, psychiatric
care or maternity, among others." Like
every profession, nursing has its drawbacks. Hospital nurses, in particular, spend
considerable amounts of time on their feet and may be vulnerable to back injuries
caused by lifting patients. They are at risk for contracting infectious diseases
(which is why rigid safety guidelines must be observed). And they must be responsible
for every decision they make. Hospital
nurses might also need to work night shifts and long hours. Some workers, however,
consider that an advantage. "I'm exhausted after working four 10-hour
shifts," said Perez, the St. Mary's RN. "But I love having three-day
weekends. It gives me a chance to rejuvenate and to know that, when I go back
to work, I'll be able to give my best to my patients." But
three-day weekends are not the best part of Perez's job, she added: "If
someone is here, that usually means their condition is serious. Knowing that I
have helped someone through a difficult time - just by giving them the proper
treatments and by being here for them and helping them to recover - I know that
I have made a positive difference in that person's life." That
difference might, literally, mean life or death for the patient. "It
was the nurses who kept me positive when I learned that I needed to undergo chemotherapy
for lymphoma," said former cancer patient Carl. Eight months later, the
devoted grandmother of four was declared to be in remission. "I
still stop by and visit those nurses whenever I can," she said. "Without
their support, I might have given up and given into the disease before I was even
treated." By
Brenda McHugh
Reprinted from PalmBeachpost.com
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